Chargers select LB Roquan Smith in SB Nation’s re-draft of 2018 class

Several days ago, the front-of-house guys here at SB Nation put out there version of a “what-if?” scenario where they went back and drafted the 2018 draft class over again after knowing what we know now almost a year later.

Of course, it’s no surprise that Derwin James went off the board long before he got close to #17. In this re-draft, the Cleveland Browns decided to jump on the All-Pro safety with the 4th-overall pick instead of cornerback Denzel Ward, who also went on to have one of the best individual seasons among 2018 rookies.

Here’s what they had to say about the pick:

As the re-draft went on, guys like Darius Leonard (the Rookie Defensive Player of the Year) and Leighton Vander Esch went a number of picks higher, being the first two linebackers off the board. Due to this change, consensus top linebacker prospect heading in to the draft, Roquan Smith, fell easily to the Chargers at pick #17.

Here’s what they had to say about this turn-of-events:

Hindsight is 20/20 but Smith landing in LA would’ve been just as amazing were it to have actually happened this time last year. In his first season in Chicago, Smith led the team in total tackles with 121. He also added in five sacks and an interception, to boot. Take your pick of James or Smith, but I believe either one is going to end up being a future all-pro for years to come.

What do you guys think of the re-draft? Would you still be excited about this pick?